Hot off the press this year, this is a memoir about Aldo Gucci, written by his only daughter, and heir, Patricia. This is a drama, a king's downfall, involving family disputes, betrayals from his three sons (by his first wife), and his brothers. There was a good deal of family resentment over the man's business decisions and how he chose to spend his time, with others, more than them. Everyone wanted to be in the lucrative Gucci empire circle but those who stayed loyal to the end, were his second wife, Bruna, to whom the book is dedicated, and his daughter, Patricia.
This is a three hundred page story about secrets: Bruna and Patricia lived apart from Aldo, since he was already married with three sons. It is a vivid account of business expansion, from Italy to London to New York, despite challenging economic times, war and an early family tradition of saving every cent and keeping the business small. By relentlessly moving ahead, despite all costs, Aldo Gucci's shop "...was the first shop to sell high-quality Italian products in the United States."
It was fascinating reading about Gucci's expansion of products as well as locations. One of his top creations was the famous Bamboo Bag. Everyone wanted one, especially since it was carried by Ingrid Bergman. He not only was the store for the rich, but also for the rich and famous.
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He achieved early fame and fortune, by insisting on maintaining the family tradition of excellence and absolute attention to detail. As his own father said: "This is the smell of leather, the smell of your future." Charismatic, and endlessly energetic to the end of his long life, Gucci was absolutely devoted to his business empire. It was business first and families, a very distant second and third.
In addition to his business ventures, we learn more about the personal life of the man behind the eponymous brand from the letters he wrote to Bruna and from Patricia's very positive perspective. According to her, he was a loving husband and a dedicated parent, but he was also, to their lasting sadness, completely focused on his business empire, which is still a thriving business today. He seemed to create a special, if very isolated world for Patricia and her mother. He took great pride in Patricia's achievements and supported her career choices. She worked closely with her father and was on the Board until 1987, when the company was sold.
Thanks, Patricia, for a compelling read!
Thanks also to Penny Simon, Crown Publishers and Johanna Ramos-Boyer, JRB Communications, LLC, for the opportunity to review.
This is a three hundred page story about secrets: Bruna and Patricia lived apart from Aldo, since he was already married with three sons. It is a vivid account of business expansion, from Italy to London to New York, despite challenging economic times, war and an early family tradition of saving every cent and keeping the business small. By relentlessly moving ahead, despite all costs, Aldo Gucci's shop "...was the first shop to sell high-quality Italian products in the United States."
It was fascinating reading about Gucci's expansion of products as well as locations. One of his top creations was the famous Bamboo Bag. Everyone wanted one, especially since it was carried by Ingrid Bergman. He not only was the store for the rich, but also for the rich and famous.
Image sourceHe achieved early fame and fortune, by insisting on maintaining the family tradition of excellence and absolute attention to detail. As his own father said: "This is the smell of leather, the smell of your future." Charismatic, and endlessly energetic to the end of his long life, Gucci was absolutely devoted to his business empire. It was business first and families, a very distant second and third.
In addition to his business ventures, we learn more about the personal life of the man behind the eponymous brand from the letters he wrote to Bruna and from Patricia's very positive perspective. According to her, he was a loving husband and a dedicated parent, but he was also, to their lasting sadness, completely focused on his business empire, which is still a thriving business today. He seemed to create a special, if very isolated world for Patricia and her mother. He took great pride in Patricia's achievements and supported her career choices. She worked closely with her father and was on the Board until 1987, when the company was sold.
Thanks, Patricia, for a compelling read!
Thanks also to Penny Simon, Crown Publishers and Johanna Ramos-Boyer, JRB Communications, LLC, for the opportunity to review.
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